12.3. The Math Class

C# has a few built in classes that can be called directly by the user. Arrays, collections, strings are only a few. One of these classes is the Math class, which contains more than just the standard mathematical operations(+, -, *, /).

In the previous sections we learned how to construct, modify, and use classes to create objects. However built-in C# classes are not allowed to be modified. The fields and methods available are what you get.

The Math class is static; containing static methods and const fields.

12.3.1. Math Class is static

The Math methods are all static. We do not have to instantiate the Math class in order to use it. It is part of the using System that is commonly found in your C# IDEs, like the Console class.

When we want to use members of the Math class, we need to directly call the class then the member name.

Math.Round(3.293823, 2);

However, if we want to do something with the output of this Math.Round method, we will need to store it in a variable. Being static, it cannot create its own instance.

The Math class has built-in methods that you can call. We will review a few in this chapter, but for a complete list you can read the documentation on the Math Class.

12.3.2. Math Methods Are static

The Math Class contains several mathematical and trigonometric methods.

Math Methods in C#

C# Syntax	Description	Example
Abs()	Returns the absolute value, or positive value, of a number. Can be used with any numeric type.	Math.Abs(number)
Ceiling()	Rounds the double or decimal value UP to the closest whole number.	Math.Ceiling(number)
Floor()	Rounds the double or decimal value DOWN to the closest whole number.	Math.Floor(number)
Max()	Returns larger of 2 numeric types.	Math.Max(number1, number2)
Min()	Returns smaller of 2 numeric types.	Math.Min(number1, number2)
Pow()	Returns specified number raised to specified power. Takes double types.	Math.Pow(number, power)
Round()	Returns number rounded to nearest integral value OR specified number of decimal places	Math.Round(number) OR Math.Round(number, decimalPlaces)
Sqrt()	Returns the square root of specified number. Takes double types.	Math.Sqrt(double)
Truncate()	Removes any decimals and returns interger part of number. Takes double or decimal types.	Math.Truncate(double)

12.3.3. Math Fields Are Constants

Having a built in Math class can be very helpful when it comes to common math elements, such as PI.

One of the benefits of constant values is that you don’t have to memorize them, or define them in a variable. C# stores the value of pi up to 16 decimal places for us. We just need to use dot notaion and we can access this class field.

Example

Console.WriteLine(Math.PI);
Console.WriteLine(Math.PI*4);
Console.WriteLine(Math.PI + Math.PI);

Console Output

3.14159265358979
12.5663706143592
6.28318530717959

However, this value is a constant, or const. You are NOT able to alter it. const values are fixed and unable to be updated or overwritten.

Example

Console.WriteLine(Math.PI);

double Math.PI = 1234.56;

Console.WriteLine(Math.PI);

Console Output

3.1415926535897931
error CS1525: Unexpected symbol `.', expecting `,', `;', or `='

The error message shows that the compiler was not expecting you to try and update Math.PI. Again, users are not allowed to update the Math.PI field.

Math Fields in C#

C# Syntax	Description	Example
Math.PI	Ratio of circumference of a circle to its diameter.	3.1415926535897931

12.3.4. Check Your Understanding

Question

Which of the following returns -3 when applied to -3.87?

1. Math.Floor(-3.87);

2. Math.Abs(-3.87);

3. Math.Round(-3.87);

4. Math.Truncate(-3.87);